Steve Daines endorses Tim Sheehy early in Senate race, part of GOP’s new election strategy.

Sen. Steve Daines Endorses Tim Sheehy for Montana Senate Race

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) has thrown his support behind Tim Sheehy, just hours after Sheehy announced his challenge to Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) in what is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested races of 2024.

“Tim Sheehy is a decorated veteran, successful businessman, and a great Montanan,” Daines stated. “I am thrilled that he has decided to enter the Montana Senate race.”

Daines has been actively encouraging Sheehy to run for Senate in Montana, as the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee seeks candidates who are strong fundraisers or have personal wealth. Sheehy, the founder of Bridger Aerospace, is seen as someone who can finance his own campaign, providing Republicans with a significant advantage in flipping this crucial Senate seat. Bridger Aerospace was valued at $869 million last year.

This early endorsement by Daines is part of his strategy to give a head start to candidates he believes have the best chance of winning in the general election. He has previously backed Gov. Jim Justice (R-WV) in his bid to unseat Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).

This departure from the party’s 2022 strategy, where GOP leaders refrained from endorsing primary candidates, aims to avoid the “candidate quality” problem that Republicans believe contributed to their lackluster performance.

2024 Election Cycle: Senate Seats Up for Grabs

In the upcoming 2024 election, a total of 34 Senate seats are at stake. Democrats must defend 23 seats, while Republicans only need to defend 11. This puts Republicans in a favorable position to potentially flip crucial Senate seats and shift the balance of power in the upper chamber.

Heading into 2024, Democrats have at least eight seats considered to be competitive, while all 11 Republican seats are considered safe.

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